11 February 2020

Editor: Jenny LeSouef
Technology: Nola Regan

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

We welcome students, staff and members of the Willetton community back to the new school year. At this time each year, we celebrate the successes of 2019 and look forward to further triumphs in 2020.

School success is measured in many ways and our 2019 Year 12 results are one of these measures. Their results were outstanding. Together, we applaud their achievements and acknowledge the commitment from students, staff and families who have worked together in the Willo Way for all students. The 2019 data is shown further in this newsletter and is also available on our website.

Congratulations to our 2019 Year 11 award winners. An Awards Ceremony was held on the first day back at school. These students have an important year ahead of them and our wish for every student is that they achieve their dreams for the year and for their future.

Considerable work to enhance our learning environment has taken place during the Christmas vacation. Many thanks to our Business Manager Jega Jegathesan for his hard work and excellent organisation to ensure the timely completion of the work.

We welcome the 29 returning and new teachers to our school, they have been through a rigorous selection process and we know they will make a positive contribution to the learning opportunities available to all students. A brief introduction to them is incorporated in this and future newsletters.

Our first day for students was a smooth introduction to the new school year. We held our only full school assembly for the year to welcome the Year 7s - a challenge to fit into our main courtyard area. Thanks to all involved in ensuring over 2551 students were in classrooms by just after 9am. Thanks must go to Christine Petersen and her team. Our student numbers continue to build with our largest cohort being Year 7 with 450 students. Perhaps the most challenging task was the completion of the roadworks to ensure safe access to the school.

Many thanks also to Colin Marshall and the Student Services and Operations teams for the introduction of Compass - our new administrative system. The implementation and refinement of the system will continue for some time and will be an advantage to school processes and procedures.

We were visited on the first day of term by Elio Mancini, the Deputy Italian Consul representing The Delegation of the European Union to Australia, to present an award to top Italian student Jack Killoh. Jack contributes hugely to our school, he is 2020 Head Boy and plays in our Pipe Band and is a gifted student achieving six A grades at the end of Year 11. Expect great things in the future from this young man.

We look forward to a happy and successful 2020 for our families, students and staff.

Trevor Hunter

CONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF 2019

YEAR 11 ACADEMIC AWARDS – SEMESTER 2 – 2019

THE ARTS

ENGLISH

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES

LANGUAGES

MATHEMATICS

SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGIES

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING

WELCOME YEAR 7s ON THEIR FIRST DAY

Year 7s First Day

INTRODUCING - new and returning staff……

JABE STILLITANO – MATHS

I am a former Willetton Senior High School student, with a passion for maths. I aim to bring excitement into the maths classroom through open discussion and group learning. Some of my hobbies and interests include magic, Rubik's cubes, ultimate Frisbee and AFL.

XIAOJUAN (JUAN) DUAN – MATHS

I graduated from UWA with a Doctorial Degree of Engineering, and a double Masters Degree of both Science and Engineering. I love teaching, and I love children. This love and passion motivated me to become a school teacher. I previously mainly taught at Rossmoyne SHS. I have a few hobbies, swimming, hiking, reading and playing piano.

STACEY INDRAWIRAWAN – MATHS

I am really excited to be joining Willetton Senior High School as a new Mathematics teacher. Prior to teaching, I studied PhD in Chemical Engineering. I hope to share my knowledge and experiences of real world Mathematics with students. I look forward to teaching at this school.

MALCOLM ISMAIL

I have 15 years’ experience as a teacher across two states. I am married, have two young sons and am currently building a house. My hobbies include many sports including golf, baseball and football. My goal in teaching Mathematics is to inspire students and instil that knowledge will get you somewhere but attitude will get you everywhere.

SARAH ZHANG – MATHS

I was formerly a Senior Analyst working at Treasury for the Western Australia State Government and am now embarking on a career change into teaching as I am interested in contributing to the learning and development of young people, and I love maths. I look forward to this next chapter in my career and working with and getting to know the students at Willetton.

CARLEEN STEACY - HPE

I have been a Phys Ed teacher for the past four years and am a graduate of the class of 2011 at Willetton SHS. I am an energetic team member who constantly seeks fun and exciting ways to improve student's knowledge as well as develop life skills.

SOPHIE McLEAN - HPE

I am new back to Willetton this year after working for two years at a school in Mundijong. I missed the beautiful Willetton community too much, so I applied to come back when a position became available. I am passionate about working with young people from diverse backgrounds, especially in the Outdoors. Outside of being a teacher you'll find me at the beach, surfing, playing AFL, MTB riding, painting or reading my book.

MAC GORRINGE – HPE

I was born in New South Wales and have previously taught in England. I studied at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, NSW, completing a bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education). I grew up playing rugby and am now coaching a rugby team in Perth.

JOSEPHINE (JOSIE) LUNDY – VISUAL ARTS

I have been teaching Visual Art for four years including Certificate and ATAR Courses. In started my career in education as an Education Support Assistant at Hedland SHS in 2005. I have taught in Manjimup, Kununurra and now Perth. What I enjoy most about teaching Visual Arts is witnessing students grow as individuals through creative exploration as well as establishing a strong sense of curiosity and self. Outside of school I enjoy creating artwork, playing street roller hockey, AFL, doing yoga and seeing live shows and music.

ROSE-ANNE LEONI - VET

I feel very lucky to be teaching Year 12 Career and Enterprise at Willetton this year. My professional background is in Career Education, Workplace Learning and Languages (Italian) as well as a few senior administrative positions. I have taught at over 20 schools in both metropolitan and regional WA over the last 25 years and I am super excited to begin this new chapter in my career.

JENNIFER BRIDGER - HaSS

I am very excited to be teaching at Willetton SHS and working with the students and parents. I'm a former Willetton student. I've previously worked as an accountant and I have been teaching at Cannington Community College. I love to see students achieve and I'm looking forward to a productive 2020.

PATRICIA OLIVER - HaSS

I’m in the HaSS department and very excited to be teaching the new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Internship, jointly with Murdoch University. I haven’t always been a teacher, I worked for many years as a Senior Business Analyst as well as a Consultant both in Australia and the Middle East. I’m looking forward to getting to know the wider community of Willetton Senior High.

NATHAN HENDRY - HaSS

I have completed my Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching HaSS and Undergraduate degree Asian studies specialist, a history major, as well as a minor in Japanese. My previous placements have been at Rossmoyne Senior High School, Shenton College, and Kiara College. In terms of sports, I have been a state swimmer as well as the president of the Murdoch Badminton Club for three years.

CLAUDIA RENNER - HaSS

My career spans many years as an educator in city and country schools teaching all year levels K – 12. I attained my Level Three Classroom Teacher status in 2000 and went on to hold multiple portfolios in education. I have also held positions for a range of other government departments in areas of procurement, contract management and project management. I hold two Masters Degrees in Business and Research and have a passion in improving workplace outcomes.

SOPHIA van GENT - HaSS

I have joined the HaSS department at Willetton SHS after teaching Media, HaSS and English in Albany. I specialize in Economics, but I can also teach German. I look forward to working within the Willetton community.

LAUREN STREET - HaSS

I'm excited to be joining the team at Willetton teaching HaSS and Health. I am a graduate teacher and studied Political Science and French language at university before deciding to pursue teaching. When I'm not teaching you can find me cooking, gardening or at the beach.

JUAN POYATOS - HaSS

I have been working at Willetton SHS in different roles mainly teaching and education support.

I have also taught overseas which has given me a greater knowledge and understanding of the world. This has helped me teach HaSS as a subject. I look forward to contributing to the learning experience of our students.

SYLVAIN FOURRIER – FRENCH AND EALD ASSISTANT

Bonjour, je m'appelle Sylvain. J'ai 23 ans et je viens de Toulon dans le sud de la France. J'aime les langues et découvrir de nouvelles cultures. J'essaye d'apprendre le japonais et d'améliorer mon anglais autant que possible. J'espère pouvoir aider les élèves à progresser en français tout en partageant la culture de mon pays et de ma région. Je suis joignable à l'adresse Mail suivante: sylvain-fourrier@hotmail.com (Si vous voulez me faire des propositions d'activités pour le club de français, ça serait avec plaisir!).

En espérant que nous passerons tous une année aussi épanouissante que possible.

Hello my name's Sylvain. I am 23 years old and I come from Nice in southern France. I love to learn languages and discovering new cultures. I’m currently trying to learn Japanese and constantly trying to improve my English (it's not great, so please be patient with me!). I hope I'll be helpful to you (teachers and students) in one way or another and make my culture and country sound interesting.

GENERAL

STUDENT NUMBERS FEBRUARY 10

2020 STUDENT PHOTO DATES

Student photographs are used for identification at school through our confidential data base and are also available for you to purchase. Photos will be taken on the following dates:

Students will be given an envelope from the photographers which should be with them on the day of the photos even if not purchasing a photo. Each envelope has a unique code which assists us with the naming of each photograph.

2019 YEARBOOK

If you paid for the 2019 Yearbook and your son/daughter has not yet received it, please get them to call in to see Nola Regan at the Liaison Office before school or at recess to collect it.

Parents are also welcome to collect the yearbook if it is more convenient.

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

WILLETTON SHS and MURDOCH UNIVERSITY JOINT PROGRAM: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION INTERNSHIP

Entrepreneurship and innovation are increasingly necessary in the current context in which our young people are growing up. An education-focused community should prepare students to face the challenges they are likely to meet in their futures. In order to address this, in 2019 Dr Vita Akstinaite and Dr Carlos Sanchez from Murdoch Business School (MBS) have developed a joint Entrepreneurship and Innovation program with Willetton Senior High School (WSHS). It is a year-long, hands-on elective program for Willetton SHS students to work with our staff and MBS academics to explore the topics of creativity, innovation, design thinking, leadership to build their entrepreneurship skills. This program will commence in February 2020 and so far, has received huge interest from parents and students.

As this is the first time that the program has run, it is being piloted with a class of 32 students. Of the top 20 students in the Year 9 cohort at WSHS, 11 selected this course and all 32 students selected are strong academically and rate highly (4 or 5) on all five of the selection criteria on their application. Given the competitiveness of the program and the high academic calibre of our students, Murdoch University will award Willetton’s students 3 credits towards a unit of their choice at Murdoch University, if these students choose to come to study at Murdoch after the completion of the program. These credits will be gained through completion of Murdoch Horizon’s program, free of charge for our students who complete the Entrepreneurship and Innovation program. The overall pathway is summarised below:

The main benefits of this program are helping students develop a variety of skills required for their future career, to experience university life through campus trips and events at Murdoch University, to learn about different undergraduate course offerings at University and to meet Murdoch’s academics throughout the program.

Together with Willetton SHS, Murdoch Business School encourages students to undertake to learn, learn to create and create to be successful.

For more information, contact: Dr Vita Akstinaite (vita.akstinaite@murdoch.edu.au) or

John Maxwell Head of Humanities and Social Sciences
(john.maxwell@education.wa.edu.au)

SCHOOL BOARD

SCHOOL BOARD – NOMINATIONS TO BE A PARENT REPRESENTATIVE

As an Independent Public School, Willetton Senior High School is required to constitute a School Board which provides additional expertise to assist the school achieve the best outcome for students. Its primary role is in contributing to the establishment and review of the school’s objectives, priorities and general policy direction. Becoming a parent representative on the Board provides a great opportunity to get involved in our school community and therefore the education of your child.

Information on nominations for parent representatives on the Board was recently sent out. There are three vacancies for parent representatives to hold a two-year term on the Board.

Nominations will close at 3.00pm on Wednesday February 19, 2020.

If you require further information or seek clarification, please contact Helen Wong, Board Executive Officer on 9334 7217 or willetton.shs.schoolboard@education.wa.edu.au

SCHOOL BOARD ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING (APM)

The School Board APM will be held on Monday March 23, 2020 at 5.30pm in the staffroom. This will be an opportunity to meet members of the new 2020 School Board. The Chair’s Annual Report and the Annual Financial Report will be presented at this meeting. A list of Board meetings for this year can be found on the school website, under the School Board information. All are welcome to attend.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

From time to time, the school is in need of volunteers to assist in various parts of the school such as the second hand bookshop, second hand uniform shop, or parent information sessions. If you would like to put your name on a Volunteers’ List, or have a special skill you would like to offer to the school, please leave your details with the School Board office.

HOW TO CONTACT THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE

To find out more about the School Board or how you might get involved, please contact Helen Wong, School Board Executive Officer on 9334 7217 or email willetton.shs.schoolboard@education.wa.edu.au